You like?

We do!

In fact: we love!

Throughout time, Persian patterns have remained of the most enlightened, delicate, and precisely-detailed in the world…And we simply adore seeing more and more  parts of our often-unmentioned culture so smartly inserted into the mainstream market. (In this case; urban playgrounds, empty pools, and skateboard ramps.)

Eric Esmailzadeh Parnes’s newest creation and usable product(s): “Boards of Iran,” easily double as figurative flying carpets. (Pending upon how fast you can board.)

These beautiful urban pieces finally allow us to step (even with our dirtiest sneakers) on such recherché prints found mostly on the best of silk Persian rugs, guilt free.

“The geometric designs and intrinsic beauty of Persian rugs is well known and has been a coveted item both in the East, and West. It was only natural that these designs were chosen.” Says Parnes of his inspiration for the skateboards. ”I recreated the designs from a vast selection of different styles of rugs, and tried to portray the subtle hand crafted imperfections that make them special.”

Parnes who skateboards “in theory” because it “would either ruin the beauty of the design, or [his] body,” humorously tells us that he made this product for “rug dealers, and naturally, their children.”

I suppose it’s fair to disclose I have family that own a rug store, as well as family friends who do. (But then again who doesn’t.) I would love to set up a skateboard shop in a Bazaar as a art concept.” Adds the New York-based Iranian artist. ”It’s out there so that anyone who likes it gets it.”

Click here to purchase your own board or contact:  info@ericrobertparnes.com for more info.

Nader Davoodi, Untitled

Nader Davoodi is an award winning artist, photographer, photojournalist and publisher.  His work has at many times captured the zeitgeist of contemporary Iran.

Nader Davoodi’s latest works visualise the poetry of the Mo’jjam History by the 13th century A.D. Iranian poet Ghazvini.  The compilations in the Mojj’am History chronicle Iran’s Shahs (kings) from the reign of Kioumars Shah, whose reign coincides with the beginning of the epic Shahnameh (book of kings), through the end of the reign of Anushiravan Shah.

Read the full story

Candlestar is delighted to present photographs by Iranian artist Fataneh Dadkhah.

Fataneh Dadkhah is a pioneer of stage-photography as an artistic discipline in Iran. She has documented the rebirth of Iranian theatre since the 1979 revolution, and in 1983 she published Theatre Photography, in association with the Dramatic Arts Centre in Iran. Since 2001 Dadkhah has travelled extensively inside and outside of Iran taking snapshots of her experiences, and has exhibited nationally and internationally.

The two photographs presented by Candlestar are part of Dadkhah’s beautiful Balouchi Bride series taken in Balouchestan, Iran, and can be commissioned exclusively from Candlestar as limited edition prints.

Read the full story

Participating in a design contest for long-time luggage-makers Samsonite, Iranian Industrial Designer, Pouyan Mokhtarani, creates the Smart Baby Case.

The inspiration behind his creation? The simple and “elliptical shape” of a common food source amongst Iranians: the egg. 

“The embryo of most creatures live in an elliptical space in their early sperm life.” Says Mokhtarani. ”My unique elliptical baby case, ‘Smart Baby Case’, is equipped with some primary and essential features that provide a safe and healthy environment for infants to grow in, allowing parents to be more productive while enjoy raising up their infants.”

Read the full story

L to R, Kourosh Salehi: Pahlevan, Once Upon a Place

Kourosh Salehi’s, Turquoise Letters, will be at the Idea Generation Gallery, London, from 10 to 16 December 2009.

Showing a collection of his paintings and film installations at the Idea Generation Gallery, East London, 10 – 16 December 2009, UK-based Iranian artist, Kourosh Salehi, is part of a group of post-revolution Iranian artists who have merged East-Western traditions to articulate a new language of exile. This exhibition, a collection of paintings and video art, surveys the most recent work of this important painter.

Read the full story

After years of quietly and elusively adding his mark to LA’s concrete landscape, Iranian-born artist ABCNT started to gain rising recognition in the Iranian-American community with his iconic political posters of Neda, Taraneh and Mossadeq in the wake of this summer’s stolen elections in Iran.

Shot and directed by Nima Nabavi, this short video reveals some of the mechanics that drive this hidden artist to create.

Read the full story

Starbucks, Eric Robert Parnes

Washington, DC – The Fridge DC is pleased to present its November 2009 exhibition I RAN Home (In America), running November 5 through November 29, 2009. (Opening Reception: Thursday, November 5, 2009, 7:00-10:00 pm.)

Iranian artists have become players in the national and international contemporary art scene, but too often, this genre is tied to politics.  In reality, Iranian-American artists are multi-faceted with different and conflicting identities and influences.  Their work may be affected by political realities, but not decided by them.  In I RAN Home (In America), these diverse influences unite in profoundly personal artworks which strive to achieve acceptance and understanding from all viewers.  Moreover, the genre educates the American public about Iranian culture and reveals the effects of Diaspora on community identity.

Read the full story

Electric Black

In addition to singing with Freedom Glory Project–a band he co-founded with members of the Iranian band, Hypernova–Johnny B. sings and writes for his own band, Electric Black. 

I caught Electric Black live at the launch party for their new CD, on the Lower East Side at Rockwood Music Hall in  Manhattan.  Seeing Johnny B. perform onstage together with the female accordion player, female guest singer, male guitarist, male harmonica player, male upright bassist, male trumpet player, and male drummer–before a mixed audience, in a public venue serving alcohol–was a reminder I was not in Iran! 

Read the full story

Shohreh Aghdashloo @ 61st Emmy Awards - Original Image: CBS

Iranian actress Shohreh Aghdashloo walked off the stage at the 61st annual Emmy Awards, a green-wristband-wearing winner for her nomination in the “Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie” category Sunday night in Los Angeles, which makes her the first Iranian to win an Emmy Award for her grouping.

We had predicted that the baritone-voiced actress would get at least an Emmy nod for her role as Sajida in HBO’s House of Saddam, but we hadn’t considered the fact that she would be joining the ranks of previous winners like, Anne Bancroft, Mary Tyler Moore, and Judy Davis.

Read the full story

Original Image: The CW

Having worked with an almost never-ending list of Hollywood celebrities, master-photographer Firooz Zahedi made a cameo last night on  Tyra Banks’ model-grooming show: America’s Next Top Model (ANTM). The girls’ directive for the episode was not just to strike a pose, but to smeyes (smiling with your eyes) on the racetrack with their shot-props: a horse and jockey.

“Softer, softer. Lighten up.” The seasoned Zahedi told 22-year-old contestant Courtney who was given the boot by the judges (which also included The Hills’ Lauren Conrad).

Read the full story

Looks pretty anotomically-intense doesn’t it?

The Ruby Rocking Chair, designed by Iranian designer Pouyan Mokhtarani is a highly-modern and futuristic version of the classic; rocking chair.

The uber-bahaal looking sandali-taabi, is said to allow its users to ”experience the sense of power”.

Read the full story

You’re probably already familiar with the trance-inducing musical style of Iranian-American musician, Farzin Farhadi, but get ready for more.

We got you an exclusive Q & A with the talented sax-player.

Read the full story